Keeping clients interested is similar to competing in a fast-paced, high-stakes game. It’s strategic. There is intense competition. Additionally, it’s really difficult to advance.
One area that companies need to pay attention to in this brutal race to the checkout is packaging design. Keeping up with the most recent developments in packaging design is one approach to do this. Naturally, trends in design are always evolving. Additionally, using them mindlessly out of pure trendiness can result in some very poor packaging design decisions.
Rather, draw inspiration from them. as a window into the current thoughts, emotions, and purchasing patterns of individuals. Alright, enough with the motivational speeches (and cheesy sports puns). Let’s examine the top 11 best packaging design trends in 2025 as well as what they have to say about today’s consumers.
1. Eco-friendly packaging
Recall that I recently said how trends in packaging design are constantly evolving? This one is an exception, though, as more and more companies are choosing to include sustainability into their packaging designs.
This is the outcome of people’s concern about climate change, which has led to an increase in environmentally beneficial behavior worldwide. Of course, the popularity of social media has contributed to these feelings. But it’s undoubtedly a significant change, given that billions of tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans each year.
However, since so many consumers are concerned about sustainability, brands frequently approach the topic of sustainability only from a marketing perspective, without actually implementing any significant changes.
“Hacks” to see how reusing used packaging materials, such as bottles and shopping bags, is a creative idea rather than a practical solution. The most creative and genuine examples of ecological packaging exist. They prioritize substance over style, yet as a result, they frequently come across as naturally stylish, such as paper bags.
Edible food packaging, downsizing, and minimalist designs that reduce waste are a few intriguing developments in sustainable package design. Minimalist packaging is also one of the major beauty marketing trends of the year. Furthermore, the tendency is influencing the market for pharmaceutical packaging.
2. Retro style from the 1970s
Packaging design trends typically follow those in fashion and interior design. Because individuals and culture have an impact on trends, they frequently spread to other media platforms. And it seems like everything these days has a ’70s vibe to it!
This is a bold and large trend. Among the characteristics that define it are:
- Warm hues such as mustard yellow, orange, brown, and burgundy
- Artwork with waves
- Squiggly brushstrokes and illustrations
- Bold sans-serif fonts
Due to its cheerful, nostalgic vibe, this packaging design style has had a number of amazing reappearances throughout the past few decades. The ’70s are now again a popular option for anyone seeking a lift or a diversion from the drab. This design has a whimsical and joyful vibe, so if that it could be enjoyable for you to include in your package and still adhere to your brand rules.
These days, you can find this design trend on practically every grocery store (especially now that you’ll be on the lookout for it!), but Burger King’s rebranding is among the most prominent instances.
Its new emblem pays wholesome respect to its history by being nearly comparable to the one it wore in the 1970s. Their new packaging meets all of the aforementioned requirements for a straightforward, upbeat vibe.
3. Hand-drawn visual appeal
Another product that’s gaining popularity right now is personalized packaging. Consumers like these small details that give their purchases a more personal touch. The world is full of individuals who want for that face-to-face connection more than ever as society grows more digital every day.
Handwritten and hand-drawn motifs are one way packaging designers bring this to life. The way a product is perceived and feels when purchased can be much improved by using a rough, sketch-like style, even if the product is mass produced in a factory located far from the point of sale.
This type of custom packaging design has been used by every business, from beer to cosmetics, to gain the trust of their clientele. However, Oatly, the hottest alternative milk brand right now, has one of my best examples. Its bold, straightforward graphics and hand-drawn typography provide the acknowledgment that this product is a tiny batch. Which we know isn’t precisely the case given that sales in 2022 alone will total a staggering $722 million. And yet, it continues to enchant us.
4. Textured packaging designs
Another technique to make your goods stand out is to abandon the conventional, smooth-surfaced packaging that we’re all accustomed to. This creative strategy mixes numerous diverse textures into packing materials to provide an interesting and memorable experience for customers.
To give the product more depth, these textures are created via debossing, embossing, and introducing holes or grooves. It is evident that textured packaging is becoming more popular. There is a great need for unique sensory experiences, and when a customer sees a textured bottle or box, they are drawn to touch and feel it.
They get one step closer to putting it in their basket when they pay attention to the package. Better sense satisfaction also translates into better product recall. The good news is that although textured packaging designs can give your goods a much more upscale appearance and feel, they won’t always result in a significant reduction in the cost of managing your packaging and graphic design projects.
This is so that, during the initial molding stage, the packaging material may easily include the majority of these textures. Naturally, manufacturing quantities and specific suppliers will determine this.
5. Transparent packaging
One of packaging design trends is transparent packaging which accomplishes what it claims to. It fosters an atmosphere of openness between you and possible clients. We as a society are constantly on the lookout for genuine and honest brands.
Additionally, the ability to view the goods in person before making a purchase increases consumers’ trust in its caliber. When done correctly, transparent packaging can strengthen the relationship that consumers have with your business.
This design style is usually most commonly found with food and drink products as well as health and wellness. It may be possible to touch and smell products in the open area. appealing to practically every sense, therefore it’s likely that nobody has licked your brand-new pack of pre-sliced cheese, yet.
Working with transparent materials is an art, though, as is the case with all trends in packaging design. And having a qualified packaging designer who specializes in designing designs that complement the natural product is a non-negotiable. The food packaging example from Print Monkey hits the perfect balance between design and messaging.
6. Minimalism
The way that minimalist packaging design functions is by leaving out unnecessary elements such as images, vivid colors, and a lot of text. The basic idea behind minimalist packaging is that, with the fewest possible design components, the container should represent the brand and the product. One such product is the Apple product, which follows minimalist design but garners such success.
7. Different Mascots
Among the trends on the list, this one is my favorite. Mascots for brands have been around for a long time. However, they have mainly stayed the same up until recently across all brand touchpoints, packaging included. They were about the same height and dressed similarly.
However, brands are now introducing fresh outfits, gestures, and attitudes to their mascots to differentiate them from one another and from other product categories and tastes.Realizing a cherished brand mascot is a great method to put a take on familiarity. Additionally, these designs frequently exude a lively sense of enjoyment, as seen in this Bored Cow example.
8. Wraparound designs
This may be the packaging trend for you if you want to immediately entice consumers to choose your goods off the shelf. By strategically placing the product name, information, or patterns all the way around the box, wraparound label designs aim to generate a sense of intrigue that can only be fully appreciated by holding the product and examining the entire design.
Additionally, because wraparound designs resist the notion that designs should fit perfectly onto the front of the product, they foster a sense of fluidity and flexibility. Going above and beyond when the products are arranged side by side on the shelves, the patterns themselves align and become even more visually appealing. That’s the chef’s kiss of ingenious creation!
9. Vibrant, large-scale hues
Vibrant color schemes are fashionable right now, just as simplicity. Nowadays, it’s more difficult than ever to get people’s attention since everything is moving so quickly and there are so many things vying for it.
The main purpose of using striking hues is to draw attention. It’s still a mystery to packaging designers how to make their designs speak. That being said, this one would undoubtedly be yelling, “Hey! Take a look at me! It’s thrilling and enjoyable.
However, there’s more than first glances to this trend. There’s also an emotional component involved. Our moods can be greatly affected by colors. Brands are capitalizing on this to build an emotional connection with consumers, making them feel pleased and energized before they’ve even opened the package.
10. Comics and cartoons
Another style that’s been sprouting up on our shelves is a kind of comic book design. I say comic book because the images have a hand-drawn, minimalist feel to them. And this is a successful design strategy for many reasons.
First off, a lot of Millennials and Gen Zers enjoy nostalgia, which is something that this design plays with. Comic books and cartoons were, for a lot of us, a wonderful memory from our early years. Brands can reach a truly intimate connection with consumers by utilizing this well-liked aesthetic in their packaging design.
The way this aesthetic works well with storytelling, which immediately humanizes a company, is another factor. Engaging customers with your brand story and highlights of features and benefits using graphics and character-driven storytelling is a great approach to interact with them.
Finally, because cartoons and comics appeal to both adults and children, this style enables the business to reach a wider demographic.
11. Nature-inspired designs
It’s a sad truth that spending time in nature tends to get less and less as life moves at full pace. But a connection to nature is ingrained in human nature. It can also have a positive impact on our mental and physical health.
People are therefore searching for different avenues to get back in touch with good ol’ Mother E. Therefore, using natural materials in your product packaging may help you reach this kind of customer. Of course, depending on your particular product and brand rules. The increased societal interest in natural, organic, and eco-friendly products is also reflected in these container designs.
For the sake of the environment as well as one’s own health. Furthermore, we are ultimately quite simple organisms. Most of us will connect this product with nature if you show it to us in a box covered in foliage, landscapes, or earthy hues. It functions particularly well with skincare and makeup containers.
This design trend is being led by the culinary, beauty, and homeware industries. But if done in a sincere, honest manner that is true to the brand, it can be woven into any product category.
Final Thoughts
Successful packaging design in 2025 reaches beyond just aesthetics. It’s a strategic fusion of emotional appeal, sustainability, and innovation. By embracing these trends and adhering to your distinct identity and beliefs, you may differentiate yourself from the competition and establish enduring connections with your clientele.
I hope this post helped you understand how container designs can be influenced by consumer trends. and motivated you to carefully include them in your upcoming packaging design undertaking. Print Monkey can assist you in optimizing your package design review process by optimizing your workflow to yield quicker, more efficient outcomes.
